A woman has her blood sample taken for testing in West Java province, Indonesia (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)Jakarta (VNA) - The Jakarta Manpower,Transmigration and Energy Agency said on April 6 that a total of162,416 workers in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, have been laid off andforced to take unpaid leave due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Of the figure, 30,137 workers of 3,348 registered companies were laid off,while 132,279 others from 14,697 firms were also put on forced unpaid leave,"according to the agency.
The data will soon be submitted to theCoordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, it said.
As part of its stimulus package tocounter the effects of the epidemic, the Indonesian government has issueda policy of expanding its pre-employment card programme which provides job skillstraining and incentives for laid-off workers.
Presidentof the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) Said Iqbal has called onthe government to prepare more measures to support workers who lose their jobs,such as providing money to workers and drivers. On the other hand, thegovernment also needs to reduce interest rates on bank loans and taxes fortourism businesses to help them overcome the current hard time.
By April5, Indonesia had recorded 2,273 COVID-19 cases, with 198 deaths. The respectivefigures in Jakarta were 1,143 and 111./.
VNA
